A collaboration between UNC, Nanyang Technological University in Singapore and ETH-Zurich in Switzerland aims to develop interactive, real-time, 3-D virtual communication methods.

The project involves 32 scientists from three continents and will be called the BeingThere Centre.

The research focuses on “telepresence” or “telecollaboration,” new technologies that may allow people to interact virtually in a way that mimics aspects of face-to-face communication.

Henry Fuchs, a professor of computer science at the University, will direct UNC’s role in the partnership.

Telepresence could become a growing market over the next decade as developments in broadband Internet networks and superfast computer chips improve information transfer and processing.